Two yrs on, activists await RTI replies

Shyam Sood

Rajouri, May 5

Activists of the Rashtriya Pahari Andolan (RPA), Rajouri, have expressed their resentment against officials of the State Pahari Advisory Board and alleged that despite an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in March 2015, no information was provided till date.

The activists had sought information related to funds provided to Boys Pahari Hostel, Rajouri, details of expenditure and lists of scholarship beneficiaries from 2010 onwards.

“In response to our RTI, Babu Hussain Khan, the warden at Boys Pahari Hostel, had informed that the record pertaining to the RTI laid with the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) for verifications, and the information could only be provided on its return,” said Shahbaz Khan, RTI activist.

He added they had approached officials of the SVO in June. According to the official documents with the Tribune, the record concerned was “handed over to the warden” after scrutinising the complaint against Babu Hussain Khan, and at present no record was under seizure with the Vigilance bureau.

RPA activists allege that even after several reminders, Babu Khan had not provided information under the RTI, despite the SVO returning the official record.

“Why the warden is misleading? He is hiding misappropriation of funds, “said general secretary, RPA.

Pertinently, as per the guidelines of the General Administration Department (GAD), only a master-grade teacher having Drawing & Disbursing (DD) powers in the parent organisation can be appointed warden of the hostel, for not more than two years. But Babu Khan has been on deputation for the last three years, without any DD powers, Shahbaz Khan allege, adding that it was sheer violation of GAD’s rules.

The activists have appealed to the Governor to initiate an inquiry into the matter and allege the warden in question has political affiliations.